Regenerative furnace



Nov. 9, 1937. o. REINER REGENERATIVE FURNACE 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed'Sept. 28. 1936 Nov. 9, 1937.

4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Nov..9, 1937. Q REINER REGENERATIVE FURNAGE Filed Sept. 28. 1936 4 SheetsfSheet 3' NOV. 9, 1937. C)- RE|NER 2,098,553

REGENERATIVE FURNACE Filed Sept. 28, 1936 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented vNovo 9, 1937 UNITED. STATES PATENT orifice wApplication September 28, 1936, Serial No. 103,023 In Germany October 2, 1935 10 Claims.

My invention relates to regenerative furnaces and more particularly to an apparatus by which the ilows of heating and waste gases are reversed, that is to say, the chambers of the furnace -are alternately connected to a supply of heating gas, and to a flue for the discharge of the Waste gas.

It is an object` of my invention to provide an.

improved apparatus which reverses the gas flows without loss of gas and without rise of pressure in the gas supply pipe while reversing, and does not associated. to the casing of the reversing valve v and to the waste gas ue. I further provide a timing mechanism which is actuated by a motor, or any other suitable source of power, and parts, such as a drum and cables, for connecting the timing mechanism to the valves in each control, so that the controls are operated in sequence.

The timing mechanism has a pair of arms, or any other suitable members, one on the shaft of the cable drum and the other on the shaft of the reversing valve, for throwing over this valve and regulating the admission of heating gas vto the regenerator chambers in timed relation with the operation of the controls.

By providing a reversing apparatus as described. lowering of the temperature at the front end. of the furnace during reversing is avoided,

the metal output of the furnace per unit of time is increased, and its performance becomes steady and continuous. Besides, the apparatus is quite f gastight.

In the accompanying'drawlngs I have illustrated, by way of example, a regenerative furnace equipped with a reversing apparatus according to myinvention.

In the drawings: f Fig. lis a partly sectional elevation of the fur- ;,0 nace and the reversing apparatus showing that position of the controlling'and reversing valves in which the regenerator chamber at the right is connected to the waste gas iiue, and the chamber at the left to the supply of heating gas,

Fig. 2 shows an intermediate position in which the connection of the chamber at the right and the wastegas flue is broken but the chamber at the left is still connected to the gas supply,

Fig. 3 shows another intermediate position in which the chamber at the right has been con- 5 nected to the gas supply but the chamber at the left is still disconnected from the waste gas ue, and

Fig. 4 shows the position after the reversing operation has been completed. l0

Referring now to the drawings, and iirst to Fig. 1, it will appear that my apparatus is of the type in which two controls, 5 and 6, are provided, eachwith a pair of controlling valves which move in opposite directions. By these means, the ducts 15 which extend from each regenerator chamber,

I and 2, to the corresponding control, are alternately connected to a supply pipe 3 for heating gas, and to a waste gas iiue 4.

Intermediate'the supply pipe 3 and the two 20 controls 5 and 6. I arrange the casing 3' of a reversing or butterfly valve il for reversing the iiow of the heating gas, and on the casing 3 I provide a timing mechanism for operating the two controls 5 and 6 in such manner that rst the 25 valves of one control, say, the control 5, are so positioned as to break the connection' ofthe corresponding regenerator chamber i to the waste gas flue 4 through the casing of the control, and to connect the chamber to the gas supplypipe 30 3 through the casing il of the control 5 and the casing 3 of the reversing valve 4l. The timing mechanism is now operated and, through the medium of two arms 38 and 65, as will be de# scribed in full detail below, abruptly throws over 35 the reversing valve 4i and then actuates the valves of the other control S to break the connection .of chamber 2, at the left, to the casing 3 of the reversing valve i i and to connect that chamber to the wastegas flue Il through the casing il' y40 of control 6.

Preferably, the timing mechanism is so designed that the controlling valves of the controls 5 and 6 are operated by a cable drum 25 which is alternately turned through an angle of 180 45` 4degs. in opposite directions. When the drum is. turned in a given direction, and has almost completed its movement, it raises the lower controlling valve, as shown for the lower valve 8 of con'- trol 5, making the connection of chamber l and flue 6, while at the same time the upper valve 'l is lowered, being connected to the lower valve by cables, as will be described, and' breaks the connection of .chamber l andthe casing 3 of the, reversing valve il. The drum performs the same function with respect to the valves in the other control 6 when turning in the oppositedirection. Before operating the controls, the drum, through arms 38 and 45, throws over the reversing valve 4I.

The timing mechanism requires only a single reversible motor for actuating 'the drum 25. Preferably, a manually operated drive 48 is provided as a stand-by in case the motor 26 should fail. It will appearthat the timing mechanism is very simple.

Each control, as mentioned, comprises a pair of superimposed controlling valves connected for movement in opposite directions. The valves are hollow and equipped with means for circulating a cooling liquid, normally water, in their interiors. Each valve cooperates with a liquid seal in the casing of its control and an annular float is ar,

ranged in each seal for closing the seal against the casing. The valve has a projection projecting on its lower face by which it depresses the oat when being lowered by the drum 25. If desired, springs may be provided for assisting the upward movement of the floats. The valve rods are hollow and house the circulating pipes for the cooling water.

By designing the controlling valves .as described, neither the heating gas nor the waste gas has access to the water in the valves and in the seals and the water is not contaminated by impurities from such gases. This arrangement also prevents the vapor from the liquid from being entrained by the heating gas.

The apparatus will now be described in full detail. The regenerator chambers I and 2 of the furnace have already been referred to. I8 is a duct connecting the chamber I to the corresponding control casing, and I 8 is a similar duct for the chamber 2 and its control casing. The lower end of the control 5 is connected to the ilue 4 by a duct 28, and a similar duct 2I is arranged for the control 8. It will appear that the casings of the two controls 5 and 8 are arranged intermediate the regenerator chambers I and 2, the heating gas supply pipe 3, and the flue 4. The

. supply pipe 3 is attached to the lower end of the reversing valve casing 3' and both ends of the casing 3 are connected to the controls 5 and 8 by suitable pipes.

The control 5 will now be described, it being understood that the control 8 is quite similar.

4Corresponding parts in both controls are designated by the same reference numerals, the parts of control 8 being distinguished by the index A lower valve 8 and an upper valve 1 are mounted to reciprocate vertically in the casing II of the control 5. vBoth valves are hollow for the reception of cooling water, and are equipped with downwardly projecting projections 8 and III. respectively. I2 is a liquid seal in the wall of the casing II for cooperation with the uppevalve l. and I3 is a similar seal for the lower valve 8.

The seals may be provided with means, not shown, for supplying and circulating the water with which they are filled. 'I'he 'seals l2 and I3 are equipped with floats I4 and I5, respectively, which are annular and adapted to be engaged and depressed by the projections 8 and Il of the corresponding valves. When a valve is raised beyond its seal, as shown for the lower valve 8, the oat is released and held against a shoulder I1` which is formed on the inner side of casing II above the seal I3, a similar shoulder Ilv being disposed above the seal I2.

It will appear that the sas NPD!! Pipe 3 ls connected to the upper ends of the casings II and II through the reversing valve casing, 3' and suitable pipes opening into the controlcasings above the seals i2 and I2'. The lower end of each casing is connected to the corresponding regenerator chamber I or 2 by the above mentioned ducts I8 'or I9 which opens above the lower seal I3, or i3', and the seal surrounds the upper end of the duct 20 or 2l which is connected to the flue 4 at its lower end.

'Ihe lower valve 8 is equipped with a tubular valve rod 22 on whose upper end an adjustable weight 23 is placed. A cable 24 connects this rod to the drum 25, being supported by a pair of pulleys 3 Ia at the upper end of a pair of uprights 30 on the top of casing II. Another cable 21 on pulleys Ilia' at the upper end of uprights 30 connects the drum 25 to the upper end of valve rod 22l in control 6. The motor 26 which, as mentioned, is reversible and at each operationK imparts to the drum 25 a turning movement through 180 degs., is connected to the drum 25 by a reduction gearing 25a, 25h. l

The upper valve 1 is also equipped with a tubular valve rod 28 which surrounds the rod 22 in co-axlal and spaced relation. 28 are cables supported by pulleys 3| and connected to'the upper ends of the two valve rods so that the valves are caused to move in opposite directions, the valve 1 being raised when the valve 8 descends, and vice versa. 32 is a sleeve secured to the uprights 38 for -guiding the valve rod 284 which in turn guides the inner valve rod 22. 33 is a supply pipe, and 34 is a discharge pipe for the cooling liquid circulating in the lower valve 8, both pipes being inserted in the tubular rod 22 of that valve. The lower ends of the two pipes open into the interior of the valve. A similar arrangement, with pipes 35 and 36 for the supply and discharge of the liquid, is provided in the outer valve rod 28 of the upper valve 1, the lower ends of the pipes opening into the interior of that valve.

31 is the shaft of cable drum 25, and 38 is an arm on the shaft, as mentioned. 42 is the shaft of the reversing valve 4I.Amounted in the casing 3', and on it is mounted the arm 45. The reversing valve has two final positions in which it engages the seats 43 and 43', as shown in Fig. l, or the seats 44 and 44 which are formed on the inner side of casing 3. The arm 38 of the timing mechanism which is provided with means such as screws 38' for regulating its eifective length, has a pin at its free end for engaging a slotted member 48 at the free end of arm 45. Screws 45' are arranged for regulating the effective length of this-arm 45. The arms move in the same vertical piane and the pin enters the slotted member when the timing arm 38 has been moved far enough in the direction of arrow 49.

It is understood that'instead of a motor 28 which is connected to a switch 28a on a platform 41, any other suitable actuating. means for the timing mechanism might be provided. Prefer- I by the arrow. The upper valve 'I is in its seal I2,` breaking the connection of the upper and lower portions of casing Il. The iloat I4 in the seal I2 is engaged by the projection 9 of valve 1 and forced down into the seal. The float I of the lower seat I3'is held against the shoulder I1 by the lift of the liquid.

The regenerator chamber 2 is connected to the supply pipe 3 through control 8. 'I'he controlling valves l and 8' are at opposite ends of the casing II', the lower valve 8 being in its seal I3", and the upper valve 1' being oil its seal I2' and supported in its elevated position by cables 29'. The cable 24 which, as described, connects the drum of the timing' mechanism to the valve rod 22 of the lower valve 8 in the casing Il of control 5, is taut under the pull of weight 23, while the cable v2'! which has a similar function with respect to the rod 22 of valve 8 in the control S, is slack. Heating gas now Ilows to chamber 2 through pipe 3, reversing valve casing 3' and control casing Il', as indicated by the arrow.

When it is desired to reverse the v furnace, the motor 26 of the timing mechanism is cut in to turn the timing arm 38 in the direction of arrow 49. During the first part of the rotation of drum 25 through 180 degs., it unwinds the-cable 24 and the lower valve 8 descends upon its seal I3, Fig. 2, assisted by the weight 23 with which its rod 22 is loaded. 'I'he connection between chamber I and flue 4 isnow broken. At the same time, the upper valve 'I is elevated by cables 29 and thechamber I is new connected to the reversing valve casing 3'. However, the reversing valve 4I has not yet been thrown over so that for the present the supply of gas to the chamber I is cut oi.

During the movement of drum 25 from the position in Fig. 1 to that in Fig. 2, the valves 'I' and 8' of the control 6 remain in their positions,

Ysince only a portion of the slack of cable 21 has been taken up by the drum. The supply of heating gas to chamber 2 is therefore continued.

Upon still further movement of drum 25 and its arm 38 in the direction of arrow 49, the pin 48 of the timing arm enters the slotted member 46 of the valve arm 45 and the reversing valve 4I l is thrown over while the drum 25 turns vfrom the position in Fig. 2 into that in Fig. 3. This is a short period, and so the reversing valve is thrown over abruptly. Cable 24 has now become slack, and so the controlling valves in the control 5 remain in their positions and gas is admitted to chamber I while the chamber 2 is cut off from the supply of gas but not yet connected to the waste gas nue 4.- However, the cable 21 is under tension when the arms 38 and 45 have become engaged.

In the final position, Fig. 4, the timing arm 38 has disengaged the valve arm 45 and the position of the reversing valve is not influenced by the further movement of drum 25. -However, the valves in the control 6 areV now operated by cable 21, the valve 8 being elevated while the upper valve 1 is lowered into its seal I 2' by cables 29. vThe chamber 2 is now disconnected from the supply vof heating gas and connected to the flue 4 while the other chamber I is supplied with heating gas, as indicated by the arrows in Fig. 4.

The partial rotation of drum 25 through 180 degs. is performed in a comparatively short time so that the furnace is soon ready for operation in reversed condition.

When it is desired to again reverse the furnace, i. e., to return the parts into the position of Fig. 1, the motor 26 is reversed and turns the Iation of said controls.

drum 25 and the timing arm 38 backwards in the direction of arrow 50, Fig. 4. The operations which have been described will now be performed in reverse sequence, the control 6 being operated first, whereupon the reversing valve 4I is thrown over and iinally the control 5 is operated to return its controlling valves into the positions i1- lustrated in Fig.- 1.

I claim:

1. In a regenerative furnace, regenerator chambers, means for supplying heating gas to, and exhausting waste gas from, said regenerator chambers, a reversing apparatus comprising a pair of controls each connected to one of said regenerator chambers and to said exhausting means, a reversing valve connected to both controls and to said supplying means, a pair of controlling valves in each control for alternately connecting the corresponding regenerator chamber to said reversing valve and to said exhausting means, a timing mechanism, means for actuating the mechanism, means for operatively connecting the mechanism to the valves of each control for operating the controls in sequence, and means operatively conrooted to the mechanism `for throwing over said reversing valve and regulating the admission of heating gas to said regenerator chambers in time with the'operation of said controls.

2. In a regenerative furnace, regenerator chambers, means for supply heating gas to, and ex" hausting waste gas from, said regenerator chambers, a reversing apparatus comprising a pair of controls each connected to one of said regenerator chambers and to said exhausting means, a reversing valve connected to both controls and to said supplying means, a pair of controlling valves in each control for alternately connecting the cor-` responding regenerator chamber tosaid reversing valve and to said exhausting means, a timing mechanism, means for actuating the mechanism,- means for operatively connecting the mechanism to the valves of each control for operating thetrols and to said supplying means, a pair of controlling valves in each control for alternately connecting the corresponding regeneratorchamber to said reversing valve and to said exhausting means, means connecting the controlling valves in each control for movement in Opposite direc.

tions, a timing mechanism, means for actuating the mechanism, means for operatively connecting the mechanism to the valves of each control for operating the controls in sequence, and means operatively connected to the mechanism for throwing over said reversing valve and regulating the admission of heating gas to said regenerator chambers in timed relation with the oper- 4. In a regenerative furnace, regenerator chambers, means for supplyingheating gas to, and exhausting waste gas from, said regenerator chambers, a reversing apparatus comprising a pair of controls each connected to one of said tions, a timing mechanism, means for actuating the mechanism, means for reversing the mechanism, a cable drum operatively connected to the mechanism, a cable for each control connecting said drum to oneof the valves in each control, for operating the controls in sequence, and means operatively connected to the mechanism for throwing over said reversing valve and regulating the admission of heating gas to said regenerator chambers in timed relation with the operation of said controls.

5. In a regenerative furnace, regenerator chambers, means for supplying heating gas to, and exhausting waste gas from, said regenerator chambers, a reversing apparatus comprising a pair of controls each connected to one of said regenerator chambers 'and to said exhausting means, a reversing valve connected to both controls and to said supplying means, a pair of controlling valves in each control for alternately connecting the corresponding regenerator chamber to said reversing valve and to said exhausting means, a timing mechanism, means for actuating the mechanism, means for operatively connecting the mechanism to the valves of each control for operating the controls in sequence, an arm operatively connected to said reversing valve, another arm operatively connected to the timing mechanism, and means for temporarily connecting said arms so as to throw over said reversing valve in timed relation with the operation of saidcontrols, for regulating the admission of heating gas to said regenerator chambers.

6. In a regenerative furnace, regenerator chambers, means for supplying heating gas to, and exhausting waste gas from, said regenerator chambers, a reversing apparatus comprising a pair of controls each connected to one of said regenerator chambers and to said exhausting means, a reversing valve connected to both controls and to said supplying means, a pair of controlling valves in each control for alternately connecting the corresponding regenerator chamber to said reversing valve and to said exhausting means, a timing mechanism, means for actuating the mechanism, means for operatively connecting the mechanism to the valves of each control for operating the controls in sequence, an arm operatively connected to said reversing valve, a slotted member on this arm, another arm operatively connectedto the timing mechanism, a pin on the second mentioned arm for temporarily engaging in the slotted member on the mst-mentioned arm,

so as to throw over said reversing valve in timed g relation with the operation of said controls, for regulating the admission of heating gas to said regenerator chambers.

'7. In a regenerative furnace, regenerator chambers, means for supplying heating gas to, and exhausting waste gas from. said regenerator chambers, a reversing apparatus comprising a pair of controls each connected to one of said regenerator chambers and to said exhausing means, a reversing valve connected to both controls and to said supplying means, a pair of controlling valves in each control for alternately connecting the corresponding regenerator chamber to said reversing valve and to said exhausting means, a casing forming part oi.' each control and housing its controlling valves,.a liquid seal for each controlling valve in the casing, an annular float arranged in each seal so as to be engaged and depressed by the corresponding control valve as thevalve descends into the liquid of the seal, a shoulder above each seal which is adapted to arrest the float when the iloat is clear of its valve, a timing mechanism, means for actuating the mechanism, means for operatively connecting the mechanism to the valves of each control for operating the controls in sequence, and means operatively connected toA the mechanism for throwing over said reversing valve and regulating the admission of heating gas to said regenerator chambers in timed relation with the operation of said controls.

8. In a regenerative furnace, regenerator chambers, means for supplying heating gas to, and exhausting waste gas from, said regenerator chambers, a reversing apparatus comprising a pair of controls each connected to one of 'said regenerator chambers andto said exhausting means, a reversing valve connected to both controls and to said supplying means, a pair of controlling valves in each control for alternately connecting the corresponding regenerator chamber to said reversing valve and to said exhausting means, a casing forming part of each control and housing its controlling valves, a liquid seal for each controlling valve in the casing, an annular oat arranged in each seal, a projection on each valve for engaging and depressing the corresponding iloat as the valve descends into the liquid of the seal, a shoulder above each seal which is adapted to arrest the iloat when the oat is clear of its valve. altiming mechanism, means for actuating the mechanism, means for .operatively connecting the mechanism to the valves of each control for operating the controls in sequence, and means operatively connected to the mechanism for throwing over said reversing valve and regulating the admission of heating gas to said regenerator chambers in timed relation with the operation of said controls.

9. In a regenerative furnace.' regenerator chambers, means for supplying heating gas to, and exhausting waste gas from, said regenerator chambers, a reversing apparatus comprising a pair of controls each connected to one of said regenerator chambers and to said exhausting means, a reversing valve connected to both controls and to said supplying means, an upper and a lower controlling valve in each control foralternately connecting the corresponding regenerator chamber to said reversing valve and to said exhausting means, a valve rod connected to the lower valve, a tubular valve rod connected to the upper valve and surrounding the rod of the lower valve, cables connecting the two rods for movement of the valves in opposite directions, a timing mechanism, means for actuating the mechanism, means for operatively connecting the mechanism to the rod oi' the lower valve in each control for operating the controls in sequence, and means operatively connected to the mechanism for throwing over said reversing valve and regulating the admission of heating gas to said regenerator chambers in timed relation with the operation of said controls.

10. In a regenerative furnace, regenerator chambers, means for supplying heating gas to, and exhausting waste gas from, said regenerator chambers, a reversing apparatus comprising a pair of controls each connected to one of said regenerator chambers and to said exhausting means, a reversing valve connected to both controis and to said supplying means, a hollow up per and a hollow lower controlling valve in each control for alternately connecting the corresponding regenerator chamber to said reversing valve and to said exhausting means, a tubular valve rod connected to the lower valve, a weight on the valve rod, pipes in the valve rod for circulating cooling liquid in the interior of the lower valve, a tubular valverod connected to the upper valve and surrounding the rod of the lower valve, pipes in the rod of the upper valve for circulating cooling liquid in the interior of the upper valve, a timing mechanism, means for actuating the mechanism, means for reversing the mechanism, a cable drum operatively connected'to the mechanism, a cable for each contre] connecting said drum to the valve rod of the lower valve in each control, for operating the controls in sequence, a pulley in each control, a cable supported by the pulley and connecting the rods of the upper and lower valves in the control so that the valves move in opposite directions, and means operatively connected to the timing,r mechanism for throwing over said reversing valve and regulating the admission of heating gas to said regenerator chambers in timed relation with the operation of said controls.

.- OTI'O REDIER. 

